CSCI review of eligibility criteria: more about the FACS system
1 April 2008
The current system used by councils to determine access
to social care services is called ‘Fair Access to Care Services’
(FACS). We aim to make recommendations on how this system could
change to meet the Government's vision of more personalised social
care services.
In 2002 the Fair Access to Care Services framework was provided
to all councils for deciding whether people were eligible for adult
social care. It was introduced to try and lead to a more consistent
approach to eligibility and fairer access to care services across
the country.
The guidance on eligibility criteria noted that it ‘neither says
that different councils should make identical decisions about
eligibility, nor prescribes what services should be made available
to service users who have similar needs’.
The framework is graded into four bands that describe the
seriousness of the risk to independence or other consequences if
needs are not addressed. The bands are:
- Critical
- Substantial
- Moderate
- Low
Councils were asked to prioritise needs that have immediate and
longer-term critical consequences for independence ahead of needs
with substantial or less serious consequences.
In setting their eligibility criteria councils had to take
account of their resources, local expectations and local costs.
In our third annual State of Social Care report, published in
January 2008, found that there is a sharp divide between people who
do and do not qualify for social care. Local councils increasingly
only help those with ‘substantial’ or ‘critical’ needs.
The report includes new research which shows that who does or
doesn’t get help varies not only between but also within the same
council. In practice the criteria can be interpreted in different
ways by local staff.
More information